Class I Thermal Renewable Energy Certificate Program

Introduction of Thermal RPS Program Development

Laws of 2012, Chapter 272, SB 218-FN – FINAL VERSION amends the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law, RSA 362-F and creates a Class I sub-class for useful thermal renewable energy. Per Order No. 25,484 under Docket No. DE 13-021, the Commission delayed the start of the thermal subclass until 2014. The PUC is required to “establish procedures by which electricity and useful thermal energy production not tracked by ISO-New England from customer-sited sources, including behind the meter production, may be included within the certificate program, provided such sources are located within NH. RSA 362-F:6, II.”

On April 10, 2014, the Commission issued an initial proposal of amendments to Puc 2500, Renewable Portfolio Standards, including provisions for useful thermal energy. The rulemaking is contained in Docket DRM 14-095. The PUC will hold a public hearing on the amendments to Puc 2500 on June 27, 2014 at 10:00 am at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, 21 S. Fruit Street, Concord, NH. Comments are due by July 9, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Nixon at Elizabeth.Nixon@puc.nh.gov or (603) 271-6018 or Michael Sheehan, Esq. at Michael.Sheehan@puc.nh.gov or (603) 271-6028.

The PUC requests comment on the preliminary draft report on the Metering and Measurement of Thermal Energy, which will be presented at the September 24, 2013 stakeholder meeting and used as the basis for the revisions to the renewable portfolio standard rules. Please submit your comments by October 4, 2013. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Liz Nixon at elizabeth.nixon@puc.nh.gov or (603) 271-6018.

The PUC requests comment on the preliminary draft revision of Puc 2500, Electric Renewable Portfolio Standard, which incorporates the provisions of SB 218. Please provide any comments by January 25, 2013. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Liz Nixon at elizabeth.nixon@puc.nh.gov or (603) 271-6018.

Stakeholder Meetings

The next stakeholder meeting to discuss the recommended measurement and metering options for the thermal renewable energy subclass of the renewable portfolio standard will be held on September 24, 2013 at 1 pm in Hearing Room A at the Public Utilities Commission at 21 S. Fruit Street, Concord, NH.